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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Paddle tandem but new to solo canoes
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| giddyup |
That left me with my only option.....learn to solo canoe. Quite an overwhelming option for me. I traveled north to Rutabaga for a 3 hour private solo canoe lesson. At the end of the session I was really frustrated and ready to quit. But I got a taste of it and honestly I love it. I returned home needing to practice, but no solo canoe to practice with. I really lucked out when an acquaintance who wanted to kayak, but didn't have one offered to temporarily trade my kayak for his solo canoe. Back in business! Unfortunately no option for a permanent trade. So I'm enjoying it while I have it and learning a lot. And looking for one just like it. (Sawyer Summersong) I have been out to a local lake enough times to feel comfortable enough to take it on a small local river for the first time today. Honestly, I love this boat. It handles so well and seems to be the perfect one for me. I'm hooked! I still need to practice a lot but I think maybe with enough experience I might be able to safely do a BWCA solo. (Much to my family's dismay) Andy(SG) has given me some really good tips and pointers. Thanks, Andy! Lots of knowledge and guidance here. It is greatly appreciated. If it's meant to be it will be with a lot of wisdom shared on this site. |
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| wetcanoedog |
i did my solo practice on the St Croix river where i could go down stream to my waiting car.practicing turns and boat handling on a shallow sandbar river was better for me than out on a local lake. working up stream when the river was high and running fast was a great workout on my arms and shoulders and got me ready for the windy lakes up north. |
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| fraxinus |
I would think if you hung on to it until you found your dream boat you'd be able to sell it for about what you had into it. Prism |
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| giddyup |
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| giddyup |
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| mr.barley |
quote Alan Gage: "Agreed. I was just going to post the same thing.quote fraxinus: "Keep paddlin, sounds like you're hooked, your Rutabaga class probably gave you a pretty good foundation. I don't know how far from Madison you are, I watch Craigslist and an occasional Summersong shows up. Right now there is what looks like a good deal on a Wenona Prism - Kevlar $1150 - |
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| canoegal |
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| kanoes |
quote canoegal: "I solo paddle a full-size Souris River Quetico 17 in BWCAW/QPP and love it." im glad its working for you but, youre are missing out on a lot by not paddling a true solo canoe. |
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| bfurlow |
quote kanoes: "quote canoegal: "I solo paddle a full-size Souris River Quetico 17 in BWCAW/QPP and love it." I agree. I have very little solo experience, but my outfitter gave me the chance to paddle a Magic for a couple hours the day before my spring trip (thanks Bob!) and was immediately spoiled. I have in the past, but I could not even imagine doing the SR Q 17 as a solo after that. |
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| giddyup |
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| Alan Gage |
quote fraxinus: "Keep paddlin, sounds like you're hooked, your Rutabaga class probably gave you a pretty good foundation. I don't know how far from Madison you are, I watch Craigslist and an occasional Summersong shows up. Right now there is what looks like a good deal on a Wenona Prism - Kevlar $1150 - Maybe not a bad deal if it's what you're looking for but that's the Kev-Flex layup, which is heavier than the Kev-light (but will take more abuse). I'd expect to be able to get a Kev-light for that price. Alan |
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| luft |
I have a 14'9" solo that I love and I found it to be plenty big enough for my 10 day solo. Weathered wind and waves just fine and I would call myself a relative novice in terms of paddling ability. |
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| giddyup |
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| Alan Gage |
quote giddyup: "I was thinking that was a bit high but I don't know much about what it's worth. Also would like to have some experience in a prism before I bought one. I wonder how it handles compared to the Summersong. I think the prism is about a foot longer. I think initially I'd be better off in a boat made of stronger material even if it's heavier. " Unless you're paddling really shallow and rocky rivers you should be fine with any layup. You just need to make sure the boat is floating when you get in/out, don't run it up on shore, and try to avoid obstacles. Lightweight layups like kevlar are quite tough. You're unlikely to do any real damage other than minor scratches. Enjoy the Summersong while you've got it. Never paddled one but they sound like a nice boat. You can buy a new one from Superior Canoe Alan |
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| Alan Gage |
The boat is in NW Iowa (Estherville) and I'd sell it for $250. Alan |
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| giddyup |
The owner of the Summersong said I can keep it as long as I want so for now I'm going to paddle it and keep my eye out for a used one. Hopefully I can get to try as many solo models as I can in the meantime which is hard in my area. (Central Illinois). People really rave about the prism and the magic and I know I'd like to try them. I'd like to try some of the boats that originate out East but that seems to be a long shot. I love that sliding/adjustable seat in the Summersong so that's a must for me and narrows the pool of potentials. |
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| Alan Gage |
quote giddyup: "I love that sliding/adjustable seat in the Summersong so that's a must for me and narrows the pool of potentials. " I paddle solo nearly exclusively (couple times/week) and while I think those adjustable height seats in the old Sawyers are pretty neat I can't think of one occasion where I've needed/wanted one. Sliding seats are nice too and I have them in most of my boats but, again, not a must. The biggest reason I have a sliding seat is to adjust trim for whether or not the dog is in the boat. Even then I have to add some ballast to the stern, though not as much. The Bell Magic is my favorite and most paddled boat. I've been meaning to but a sliding seat in it for years but I never get around to it. I get along just fine, load or none, by simply adjusting where the weight of gear is positioned. As far as I know Sawyer was the only company to offer an adjustable height seat. It must not have been too popular or everyone else would have done the same. If you can find a canoe with those things then great. But don't pass by a nice boat for something that's probably not necessary. A sliding seat can always be added later. If the canoeing bug bites you whatever you buy for your first boat won't be your last so don't worry about perfection. It will be a progression. Alan |
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| giddyup |
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| canoegal |
quote kanoes: "quote canoegal: "I solo paddle a full-size Souris River Quetico 17 in BWCAW/QPP and love it." Kanoes and Bfurlow, we apparently just enjoy tripping differently. For me, I'd be missing out in a solo -- I'd miss having my dog and my camera gear. I need the space, appreciate the stability for photography, and it handles wind/waves well when I'm tripping. |
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| DanCooke |
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| kanoes |
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| luft |
quote giddyup: "Is it the kestrel you have listed in your profile, luft? I've read about them. They look to be a nice solo canoe. " Yes that is the one. If you are ever in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area during soft water season you can take it for a test drive. No sliding seat though;-) |